Tom Kim wins Asian Games golf gold, securing South Korean military exemption

Mixed · 2Tom Kim won individual golf gold at the Asian Games, finishing 18 under par at Kasugai Country Club in Japan and winning by three strokes. 1 2 Mixed · 2Kim led going into the final round and shot a six-under 64, with five birdies and an eagle before a bogey on the 17th, then tapped in for par on the 18th and let out a roar of relief. 1 2 Centre · 1The BBC's leaderboard lists Japan's K Higa, China's W Ding and Thailand's S Kaewkanjana tied on 15 under, with Taiwan's W-H Wang on 11 under. 1

Mixed · 2Able-bodied South Korean men usually must serve 18 to 21 months in the military before turning 28, but Asian Games champions and Olympic medallists receive an exemption that requires only basic training lasting less than a month. 1 2 Mixed · 2Former Tottenham forward Son Heung-min is a past beneficiary: after winning the 2018 Asian Games with South Korea, Son completed three weeks of basic training in 2020. 1 2 Centre · 1The BBC reports that Kim, 24, travelled from the Presidents Cup in the United States, managing on six hours of sleep and a 14-hour time difference. It describes Kim as world number 32, with four PGA Tour titles and a Scottish Open win in July. 1

Centre · 1Kim had come close to an exemption at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing day one tied for third but ending eighth. 1 Right · 1GB News quotes Kim as saying: "I tried not to think about it. I just tried to play best for my country. It's a big stepping stone." Kim added that the pressure felt that week could be used in upcoming seasons. 2 Mixed · 2South Korea won only silver in the team event, behind China, with Japan taking bronze. Teammate Kim Seong-hyeon (SH Kim), 28, therefore missed out on an exemption, while the third team member, Mun Do-yeob, had already completed his service. 1 2

Right · 1GB News adds that exemptions also extend to some classical and traditional musicians, dancers and other artists. It reports that 16 South Korean baseball players earned exemptions after a 3-1 win over Japan in the final, and that three esports competitors won gold, including Lee Sang-hyeok, known as "Faker". 2